'''Zapdos''' ''({{NT|サンダー|Thunder}})'' is the 145th Pokémon in the Pokédex. It is an [[Electric]]/[[Flying]] Type, and it is known as the Electric Pokémon.

'''Zapdos''' ''({{NT|サンダー|Thunder}})'' is the 145th Pokémon in the Pokédex. It is an [[Electric]]/[[Flying]] Type, and it is known as the Electric Pokémon.

−

Zapdos uses the [[Pressure]] Ability. This [[Ability]] doubles the amount of [[PP]] that its opponents uses per attack. A second Ability is available to Zapdos that come from the [[Dream World]], the [[Lightningrod]] Ability. This Ability draws Electric-Type moves to it, increasing its [[Special Attack]] [[Statistic]] by one stage and nullifying damage from said attack type.

+

Zapdos uses the [[Pressure]] Ability. This [[Ability]] doubles the amount of [[PP]] that its opponents uses per attack. Zapdos' Hidden Ability is [[Static]], which may [[paralyze]] the opponent on contact.

Zapdos is a large bird Pokemon, though it is the smallest legendary bird. Its plumage is mostly yellow with some black. Its feathers are spikey, represting lightning bolts. Zapdos' head and tail feathers point in all different directions. It has two thin legs with large-ish feet, each foot has three toes at the front and one at the back. Each toe has sharp talons. Zapdos has a long orange beak. It has small eyes with black around them.

Zapdos rarely makes an appearance in the Anime. A ginormous mechanical Zapdos appeared in the episode The Island of Giant Pokémon, which was one of many such Pokémon to appear in that episode. A wild Zapdos had to have its energy restored with the help of several wild Electric-Type Pokemon and Ash's Pikachu in As Clear as Crystal. Zapdos also appeared in the episodes Doc Brock and Dealing with a Fierce Double Ditto Drama!

Zapdos is a part of the Overused (OU) tier of competitive battling. It can act as a great defensive check to certain threats such as Mega Pinsir, Talonflame, Mega Scizor, and Tornadus-T due to its access to reliable recovery in Roost, a great defensive typing that offers it numerous resistances, and well-rounded bulk. It can pressure offensive teams due to its decent offensive prowess, solid coverage, ability to spread paralysis, and its capability to stall with Roost. Unlike other Defog users, Zapdos can take out Bisharp with a Heat Wave, meaning that it is not as susceptible to allowing for Bisharp to take advantage with Defiant as Pokémon like Skarmory. Its best set is a physically defensive set as it checks troublesome threats like Mega Pinsir more easily while still being able to check Tornadus-T. However, a specially defensive set is usable as well which allows for Zapdos to check Pokémon like Keldeo much better. Zapdos's biggest flaw is its weakness to Stealth Rock, which is problematic for a defensive Pokémon and Defogger that is expected to get rid of entry hazards. Zapdos's bulk, while good, is not as high as other defensive Pokémon and leaves it able to be worn out by certain powerful threats. Thundurus and Thundurus-T both outclass Zapdos offensively, as they both have better offensive abilities and Nasty Plot to break through defensive cores, meaning that Zapdos is limited solely to defensive sets if it wants to thrive in OU.